Soca News was at UK RumFest on Sunday 15 October, at the ILEC Conference Centre, Earls Court, London. For the uninitiated, the world’s premier rum festival may sound like the opportunity to gather and get intoxicated en masse. However, the regulars who return each year without fail will attest to the wide variety of options available to top up one’s rum education and to be introduced to new brands of Rum.
Daniyel Jones from the House of Angostura, Trinidad and Tobago, was on hand to teach attendees tricks of the trade of how to make a delicious cocktail. In addition to that Rum Étiquette: How to appreciate Rum as a Premium Spirit, took customers on a global journey of exploring cultures, traditions, and modern techniques of how to enjoy their favourite rums.
In a special seminar to mark Black History Month, rum Expert Lisette Davis introduced four African/Caribbean-owned brands. He explored the barriers new businesses face to getting their products onto retailers’ shelves. Brands featured were Kromanti Rum, Reign Rum, Marshall & Brown Rum, and boldly named Rumbaclaat Rum!
During Rum & Chocolate Pairing, rum enthusiast and owner of Exotic Tramp, Sian Petter, hosted a tasting of her exceptional rum chocolates. Destileria Carupano: Rum Pioneers in Venezuela Philip Gillier, Ron Carupano’s European Export Director, took attendees through the story and evolution of the oldest rum producer in Venezuela.
Meanwhile, in Exploring Haiti with Saint Benevolence, the audience was invited to join the speaker, Rev. Gueillant Dorcinvil, a third-generation Master Distiller of Haitian Rum Clairin – a rustic, terroir-driven sugar cane spirit. With music, carnival dancers and the collective warm spirit that the event generates, there were smiling faces all around and the same again next year, please Mr Burrell.
